Multiple choice

Directions: Read the paragraph and answer the question that follows.
One cannot think one's way into heaven. The concept trap ensnares many spiritual seekers as we unwittingly substitute thoughts and ideas about the path for the path itself. Though words of prayer or a Divine name can orient us in the right direction, only by seeing beyond thoughts and mental imagery can we begin to touch the higher worlds. Thoughts and concepts play no role when we stand before the ineffable.
Right thinking and true ideas offer two invaluable ingredients for the inner life: motivation and guidance. Great spiritual poetry and myths, stories in the holy scriptures, and other written sources contain ideas and images which can serve to raise the level of our spiritual aspirations, moving us to renew our commitment to the path, helping us through our dry spells, periods of doubt, and the inevitable and numerous obstacles we encounter along the way. Eventually, the wonders of the path itself provide ample motivation.
What is the primary purpose of the passage?

  1. The inner landscape hides a territory unknown to us, discovery of which is the way to heaven.

  2. All our actions must be guided by right thinking and true ideas, which will take us to heaven after death.

  3. We can touch the Higher World only by seeing beyond thoughts and mental imagery.

  4. Reading texts of the spirit, pondering their contents, and drawing inspiration from them channel our thoughts and heart toward actual steps along the path.

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The passage emphasizes that books and ideas can help propel us towards the non-conceptual i.e. they would prove to be useful through our journey on this land and would show us the right path to seek our ultimate aim i.e. heaven. As option (4) is cogent with this explanation hence, it is the answer. Option (1) is ambiguous according to the passage, as the passage emphasizes on the discovery of such pathway by reading spiritual books, hence (1) is ruled out.
Option (2) is contrary to the passage (first sentence of the second paragraph provides the clue), hence, it is ruled out.
Option (3) is true but it is very narrow (Refer first paragraph), hence it is ruled out. So, option (4) is the answer.